Fender Custom Shop vs Masterbuilt - Is There Really A $3K Difference?

I have always wanted a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Guitar, In my mind, these are the tip of the pinnacle of electric guitars. But is there really a noticeable difference between a Fender Custom Shop Teambuilt guitar and a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt/ In this video, we find out.
Here is what Fender says.
A Fender Custom Shop instrument is extraordinary. You know it when you play one-it’s definitely more than the sum of its parts. It’s filled with intangible, electrifying elements that add a new dimension to your playing experience. It’s as if the instrument itself is imbued with history, alive with the spirit of the place where it was built and the devotion of those who crafted it.
The Custom Shop is home to Fender’s most skilled and talented builders. It’s a bustling, noisy and creatively volcanic place that re-earns its nickname-the Dream Factory-every day. Custom Shop builders are completely dedicated to their art-part craftsman, part artist, part music fan and, more often than not, part mad scientist. They’re the best at what they do, and they pour all of their passion, hard-earned knowledge and skill into every instrument they build. It’s no ordinary place, and the creations that come from it are no ordinary instruments. Welcome to the Fender Custom Shop.
For players who wish to create a completely custom instrument-anything from a humbucking pickup-equipped banjo to a custom-engraved aluminum-bodied Strat®-we offer Masterbuilt, a singular experience working one-on-one with one of our Master Builders. Custom-Built is for those prefer to start with one of our time-honored models and personalize the specifications to meet your specific needs. Use this guide to design your very own Masterbuilt or Custom-Built Fender guitar and make your dreams come true.
Masterbuilt
In every art form, there are those who have mastered their craft so thoroughly, through years of training and experience, their work routinely commands extra acclaim and admiration, not to mention outright awe. These astonishing artisans are the Master Builders of the Fender Custom Shop; a select group of the most talented builders recognized around the world for their matchless skill, limitless imagination and utter devotion to their art.
Crafting a guitar with a Custom Shop Master Builder is the ultimate artistic partnership-simply put, no idea is too crazy and no job too large or too small. They’ll walk you through everything-body design, neck shape, tonewoods, pickups, hardware and more-to give you the look, feel and sound that you’re searching for. From start to finish the Master Builder will personally ensure that each guitar is built with the highest possible quality and to your exact specifications. Additionally, it’s about more than just specifications, it’s about making the instrument of your dreams a concrete reality.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@Sixstringer666]

The Masterbuilt is the best Strat I have ever heard, so rich, blooms, harmonic balance, sweet, there arn't enough words simply awesome. Thanks Paul, that was great.

[@hlcotten6587]

Paul, the masterbuilt was truly amazing. The look; the growl. The resonance chime of a classic Fender. #Spot on!💎

[@spawn302]

Sounds the same lmao. Yes I've listened through studio monitors, studio headphones, and IEM's.

[@jeeefthegreat7555]

You're listening to your computer speakers. Just FYI.

[@bobdillon1138]

Put the same pickups in the other one and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

[@flyzerogravity]

For some unless you really own a Masterbuild CS you might never know… I recently pu a 2022 heavy relic’d 60 Ron Thorn CS Masterbuilt in sunburst and relic’d neck! Has a fat so since I laid a lot I decided to go check out others in area to maybe swap to smaller year neck. Played 4 two 57’s a 59 and a 69 all CS Masterbuilt and all different and two were totally outstanding plus the one I own is great tone also. Point is they do have slight different personalities you’ll see if you play them not listen to YT videos to decide. My fav so far I’ve played has been a 57 super heavy relic’d CS with insane relic’d maple neck! Playing is believing…

[@OrangeMicMusic]

Some random thoughts....Tom Morello recorded all the songs on Evil Empire using a no name pawn shop guitar worth $50.... Brian May playing all his life only one guitar that he built himself from some wood found around his house. I have really nice (expensive) guitars on my collection, but when it comes to have nominated albums, I think it doesn't really matters what you're using. It's like the song says "I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it"😀🎸🎻

[@JCroozy]

It's the Indian, not the arrow 😎

[@Ottophil]

@@JCroozy native

[@subzero308]

yeah but guitars dont feel the same at all like they did back in the day... feel a CS and then feel a real Vintage guitar very very different. and we wont even go into the trash they r putting out for just the basic stuff and still selling it for 1500-2000$ smh... it doesn't cost anywhere near the prices they r asking for to make these guitars and amps and TVs and shoes... its ridiculous how over priced and ripped off people r smh.

[@OrangeMicMusic]

@@subzero308 my point was about something else and you missed it🙂. It's all good 🎸🎸

[@djurt02]

Use your ears.

[@musicmann1967]

I'd have to say the Masterbuilt is simply a better built guitar. But since they're different pickups, that alone might be the difference in the sound. I like the sound of the Masterbuilt better, especially that great sustain on the notes. It's more alive sounding. But the pickups could be the explanation for that.

[@godbyone]

Picks are a huge part. It’s neck feel /playability. And pick ups for electric. What’s odd about fender Gibson. Go any large store. 90 percent of fender Gibson.from factory. Need set up work Custom are set up better and master built. A little better than that . Pick ups Eric Johnson are awesome . . Masterbuilt are personal thing from that builder but are going to very good . My friend got a used Godin electric 150$neck was a 9 out of 10 fast easy to play fast ergonomically. Great But the pick ups sucked . I told him get fralins I think they were 300 $ That guitar was better. Than most 2500$ guitar s. Fast easy to play intonation great .

[@bradwoods371]

@@godbyonepartcasters can be amazing too especially once you have experience on how to match up bodies and neck

[@flashbak01]

DIfferent pickups?

[@micktheman6]

I’ve played a lot of great masterbuilts but team built to me is just as good I can’t justify the price.

[@rv6205]

buy tesla stock ....thank me later lol, then buy a master built

[@soofitnsexy]

@@rv6205 THANKS!!!

[@docdoc8556]

ive been on a bit of a guitar video binge, i dont play guitar and ive been pondering electric or bass. Your playing at the end of this video from 7:51 has actually made me want to learn electric so thanks for that, beautiful playing.

[@docdoc8556]

was it a specific song you were playing? i need to know!!!!

[@jlr022159]

Great video! I’ve got 4 custom shop Strats and a fifth that is masterbuilt. I love my masterbuilt Strat but I also love the other custom shop Strats just as much. For a masterbuilt you’re paying for a little more quality wood upgrade but mostly you’re paying for the privilege and attention to detail of a particular master builder. Honestly the off-the-wall custom shop stuff has an unbelievable consistency - right up there with PRS. It’s nice to own a masterbuilt but in all honesty if you have a standard custom shop guitar and cannot afford a masterbuilt, don’t worry about it - there’s just not that much difference. Owning a masterbuilt certainly does NOT make me want to get rid of any of my other Strats! They’re all beautiful… not only to look at but to play.

[@Andrew-wb2zq]

Yeah, if I had gobs and gobs of money, I'd get a masterbuilt just for the knowledge that one guy handmade it to my specs. But I can't imagine they actually sound any different to another nice Strat that has the same pickups and set up.

[@mikeaaron2819]

I had a master built ultra relic in faded white and it was ordinary, a dale wilson. I had a team custom shop nos 57 in fiesta red which was the best guitar I have ever played the build quality was extraordinary and it sounded great. I had to sell it for the money I needed back.

[@davidolsen9425]

Paul, look into Monty’s Pickups relicing wax. It will feed and darken the rosewood board (and it can be stripped back with lighter fluid or steel wool). Works like a dream. I love a dark board and I use it all the time.

[@helder6175]

Difference is in the price. I've owned Strats from Squier to Masterbuilt. Still have the sunburst Squier SE that I modded to my liking with a WD soft-v maple neck and upgraded pups, and it is pretty awesome. I sold the Masterbuilt and purchased an EJ CAR Strat for myself and an American Tele that I gave to my teenage son, and still have change leftover. Believe it or not, the sound/quality is in the pickups combined with the amp it delivers through. The setup & action are also important, of course. Quality is important but not nearly as the aforementioned especially with the type of woods, hollow/solid/semi-hollow, etc.. That's more subjective, but from my experience with tinkering around with practically two of the same model/specs it really comes down to pickup selections and that specific guitar itself in how it resonates regardless in the type of wood selection. In other words, "the sum is greater than its parts" when the whole thing is assembled in its final stage.

[@pauljazz818]

Nice job on the video. It’s great to see a comparison between the custom shop and the master built, although it would’ve been more helpful if you were able to get your hands on a set with the same specs i.e. same neck, same pick ups, etc. That way you could really see if there was a difference between the team build and the master build.

[@jamiebriggs8277]

Love the review. To me the answer was quite simple before watching it 😄 I do love seeing the breakdowns of these higher end guitars, especially the way that you do them. It wouldn't make sense for me, personally, to spend $3-4k on a guitar, never mind $6-7k. For a someone who makes a living with their guitar it's obviously a different story. The master built guitar definitely sounds better IMO, but the vast majority of the difference in tone is the pickups and how close they are to the strings. I'm sure the master built guitar is amazing to hold and play, but. for us mere mortals, a $500-600 used MIM, with an hour of setup work and new set of pickups will get us 90% of the way there at a fraction of the cost. As far as the relic treatment - the master built is really nice. Nice than average for sure. But again, is it worth thousands for it? I'll take a stab with a chain and a railroad spike and see how it goes :D

[@smith981]

I know this isn't the point of the video, but I think Paul's playing is absolutely mesmerizing. What an incredible player!

[@udoschillings1490]

I totally agree with you! Paul plays so soulfully...his playing from 8:21 to 9:22 gives me goosebumps :-). But - what if both guitars had the same pickups? Would the difference be so clear as it is in this video? I just can´t wait to get my new 60´s NOS teambuilt ;-). You have to wait for almost one year for delivery, nowadays...

[@paulmckenfitnessnutrition2434]

Yep, totally agree. The man is bloody good.

[@victorformosa228]

Not at all, you made a valid point, Paul's playing ability brought out the best in both guitars.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. I’m going through a bit of a phase where I’m personally picking holes in everything I’m playing, Your comments have picked me up.

[@smith981]

@@TheStudioRats It's always good to keep pushing oneself to progress-- but, just for reference, I've been playing for about 25 years on and off, and I've actually bookmarked several of your videos and I use them as a reference for practicing my own techniques. It's a bit of a trick for me because when I was young I started out more of a metal rhythm player. Over the years, I've migrated a bit more towards more blues-influenced rock, so I've hard to work to develop a sound that differs from what I did in the early days. For instance, developing skills that work for single-coil pickup guitars and medium-gain amps.

[@rjo8500]

I wouldn’t be able to get past the looks of that Masterbuilt.

[@markslist1542]

One of the best demo video's I've ever seen. Very revealing and helpful.

[@HanaRoadPictures]

That Masterbuilt sounds like an entire orchestra! Insane. However....it also has Fat 50s which are the best pickups Fender makes. I have them on a CS and I want them on everything from now on.

[@Wolfman1902]

The red masterbuilt in the video has fat 50s pickups?

[@harryliao8557]

It's an awesome demonstration. For my personal preference. If I have US$8000+. I rather to select Gibson custom shop. (murphy_lab_relic or old_CC series) You could truly feel the difference for this extra $3K. (Louder tone, sound of touch, More harmonic) Different case in Fender. You may spend on extra light weight wood (Better wood), Master handmade fee(Second hand Price guarantee). I try both of them(Master VS Teambuilt). Of course Masterbuilt got a little bit extra "soul" in each of guitar. Similar as score 90(teambuilt) to 96(Master). That's it. you can feel the "roof top". Does it worth for this extra $3K? not for me. but I definitely can feel this extra $3K in Gibson as mentioned. (It's my personal preference and experiences. Of course, you may disagree with it. :D)

[@97guitarzan]

Love that E maj9 or E add9 chord you use...F# bing in the middle of the chord is cool!

[@lazvt8469]

I got a 2023 CS Tele yesterday...and what really struck me was the sustain... of the 8 Teles...USA, FGN, G&L, CV50, TelMex, LSL, HB...the CS's sustain was off the charts by comparison. It has 'hot' Chicago Specials....perhaps that's it??

[@JR-to8sn]

It's really a placebo effect. I wish you wouldn't have said which was which. I bet many who think the MB is better wouldn't necessarily choose that one. Also, my thoughts are that IMO it's not worth it. It's been said in the comments below that it's all about the player and the pickups. Many pros play cheap guitars, and they sound wonderful because of their ability and touch. There are so many factors that go into a good playing and sounding guitar and that is different for everyone.

[@dustinadair7893]

Exactly, you can’t compare guitars with different pickups and say which one is the better guitar all around. Swap out the pickups and get the exact pickup height and do a blind sound test and 99% couldn’t tell the difference and the other 1% are just lucky guesses.

[@daziwg456]

Really difficult to come to a conclusive decision when one of the first things pointed out is the guitars are so very different in Timber/Pickups , obviously they are going to sound different, I'll stick to choosing my own woods and pickups/hardware etc and build it myself and save myself a whole bunch of cash

[@paulcowart3174]

They both sound great IMO the pups make the difference I picked up a CS Troposphere hard tail strat Under 7 lbs Lightest one I could 6 -11 ounces's Super faded shell pink Looks almost white Paul Waller creation Josaphina wound pup's Great guitar

[@IamMusicNerd]

It’s all in the pickups to me. The difference between the custom and master built woods don’t make nearly as big of a difference to my ears, and they both feel amazing as well. Custom shop pickups are excellent, but the master built pickups just seem to have even more character and dynamic range to me. Each one gives you something unique. Same thing with a Made to Measure master built Gibson over the normal custom shop Gibsons. Sadly I have only been able to play other people’s as I am not a good enough player yet to justify the additional $3-4k for a master built.

[@johnkirk3187]

Got to agree with the pickups making a difference.

[@Halliday7895]

that was my thought too...the pickups will do the heavy lifting in this situation.

[@geev33]

not really. the wood dont make such a difference its more the harmonics and stuff. if you hear closely when he lets the chords ring out for as long as they can the two guitars have different speed of modulation through the notes of the chord. thats the way the neck and body resonate together and its different in each guitar. these two pieces shouldnt resonate against each other which seems to be the case with the custom shop here. thats random most of the times but i expect the masterbuilder to have that under consideration...here we have an obvious example because they seem to be one of the best masterbuilts and one of the worst custom shops. but the pickups wont do much in a situation where the resonance of the whole guitar is kinda messed up.they amplify whatever is there thats why wood doesnt matter in color but in consistency. feed any pickup with shitty resonating guitars and wont get a single good tone. then try different pickups in well balanced guitars and there starts the coloring process all pickups sound good but with different - but all acceptable - colors...and you might say its the tuning or intonation that causes the modulation effect during the ring out but even if thats it then the sustain proves that the woods in the masterbuit resonate in harmony with each other or sth..or it could be that the one is relic and the other heavy relic so the "wood breathes more" hahahaha

[@frankswildyear]

@@johnkirk3187 I find that if the guitar sounds good unplugged, it generally sounds great through an amp. My favorite guitars, always sound crisp and resonant before you even engage him or the pick ups.

[@DBCooperPDX]

I truly hear differences, and as I built my '89 USA Ultra Stratocaster Body, put the Reverse Hendrix Artist Series Mexican neck, there is a huge difference when they sit and go into every micrometer of detail in your setup, I am lucky I got it for dirt but there is a gigantic difference

[@guitarthink]

Been listening to 7:52-9:22 for three days.... Stuck in my head... Soooo good.. and fun to play !

[@gabrielpssoa]

Is that a song? Do you know the name?

[@johnvcougar]

@@gabrielpssoadunno, but it will be! I’m stealing it! 😅

[@WonkeyWabbit]

The Masterbuilt certainly has a fuller tone, but that is probably the pickup choice rather than anything else . They certainly sound nice, but could you fit the same pickups onto a standard CS? It would certainly be a lot cheaper than buying the MB just to get them. There's only so much you can do to make a pickup 'special', regardless of who builds it (providing they are reasonably experienced). Most of the rest is personal choice. Try different stores and you could probably find a CS that is as light as the MB and resonates in the same way. Fit the Fat 50s, sell the stock pups (if you want) and you've saved a lot of money and got 99% of the mojo of the MB. Ideally you'd want to compare a MB and CS with the same neck and pickups, and do it blind. Hard to arrange though, I fully understand.

[@equalleftrights3130]

There's a lot of "probablys" and "ifs" in your comment. "If" I was a billionaire, I could "probably" make my own country. See how it works? Impossible to know what a guitar will sound and feel like going by assumptions. The Masterbuilt Strat costs what it costs for a reason and only the person buying it or the one that owns it can determine if it's worth the cost, not a stranger on the internet that doesn't own one. I have a 68 reissue Custom Les Paul that sells for $7k, not only is it worth more to me, it sounds incredible. I wouldn't sell it for $20k cash because I'd be sick missing it and I'd be worried that I couldn't hear that sound ever again.

[@AT-27182]

I would bet that the pick-ups are the whole difference. Especially with overdriven/distorted tones. I'd guess that tone wise, the same pick-up in a regular production US strat and maybe even a Mexican one would be pretty much the same. The feel of all these different versions could be quite different, and that can affect the player and thus the final results. So the different levels of quality can make a difference, but I doubt that they have a big effect on tone when pick-ups and other electronic components are equalized.

[@geev33]

@@AT-27182 i think you are depressed

[@rylieriley]

I love the way the necks feel on Fender Custom Shop guitars, but that Masterbuilt Strat is oozing mojo. It's spilling out all over the place. I was drooling over it throughout the entire video. 😍🤤

[@rv6205]

me too......isnt it crazy how some guitars just reek of mojo ..!!!!

[@joncrane9735]

Ive played guitar for nearly 40 years so i got a ear for a nice sounding guitar....whether its hearing a guitarist in a band or playing myself ....recently i was in the fortunate position to buy a nice strat ..custom shop or one from new usa range ....after trying many in the store ( fellowship of acoustics) here in the Netherlands....i just could not justify the money on a custom shop....i ended up buying a handmade 63 strat replica from a dutch custom builder ..built with top quality woods and parts..own brand handwound pickups...it felt better played nicer sounded to my ears better....it was half the price of the fender c/ shop.....its personal choice but if its a strat to play ....the name is irrelevant...but 7.. 8 thousands on a guitar is insane ....by the way it a kauffman 63.....killer guitar ..

[@ClaudioMartella]

Haar?

[@glennmartin4232]

Paul, the master built has that classic warmth with a little natural buzz combined with the fat 50’s. Sounds epic to my ears. Definitely one of the best looking strata I’ve seen. Keeper mate

[@alexholdenii4946]

If you order a master build you can get any neck shape you want and whatever pickups you want. Also sort for dark wood on the fingerboard and light weight on the body. The lighter strats always resonate more and sound better….. at least to me. Josefina pickups are awesome sounding and they add to the value of the guitar. I guess it’s all about what you want to pay for a guitar. I think with the master builder you get their attention and they build the entire guitar so there’s more attention to detail. Both are awesome guitars. Hard to go wrong with a FCS

[@mark-hollis]

This Masterbuild Strat is the best Strat I've ever heard. That is exactly the Strat sound I've always been looking for and I would buy it even though I absolutely don't like its looks. The Teambuilt Strat probably sounds great on its own but compared to the Masterbuilt it sounds flat and dull. Do you know what wood has been used for the body? Is it alder? I also love the amp sound. What amp and what pedals did you use for the video? That sound is to die for!

[@LucSulla]

Now do it with the same pickups at the same pickup height. That’s too important a variable to ignore and say it’s just the choice of wood. I’m willing to bet the Masterbuilt will sound different if you switch out the pups in it for those in the CS.

[@BarronVonSchnoot]

Who said they’re not the same pickups?

[@76booge]

I'm not a fender guy, but I love that master built. Looks and sound. Beautiful.

[@johnfair62]

I can hear the difference with my headphones on. They are both great guitars, however, the master-built guitar has a warmer sound and the color and relic is unique. I really like it, Wish I owned it. I think it is a pickup difference. It would be interesting to switch pick-ups and see if the sound of the master-built would travel to the custom shop guitar.

[@LfunkeyA]

the pickup difference is the main reason for the difference in tone. a 65 reissue will have warmer and hotter pickups than an early 60s reissue, which is what the team build is.

[@1970Richiez]

Both are beautiful guitars.... The Red just has more girth, it could be because of the more resonance... defiantly want to keep the tortoise shell on the red one Paul... Amazing guitar

[@MxRyder19]

Lots of people dont understand that a great amp is MORE important that a great guitar. A great amp will make a avrage guitar sound better. A great guitar wont make a avrage amp sound better.

[@williamhsi3597]

Fender custom shop strats are great! The ones I have played are flawless. Just bought a 1967 heavy relic vintage white strat and it’s the best guitar I’ve had so far. One question have you tried masterbuilt strats by other builders from the custom shop?

[@Celiodcasa]

Hello, the red guitar shines and sustains the note, the subtlety is incredible, but both have their application in music.

[@-Atmos1]

The Masterbuilt has warmth & more sustain , I'm guessing it's lighter in weight too . Great demo .

[@NicoandAlej]

I wonder wether pickup height on both guitar was EXACTLY the same. If not, the fact that it's lower on the master built guitar can 100% explain the difference in sustain.

[@Swampster70]

Listening to the intro, you could tell which one was the Master Built. I don't know if this is the case for all of them but in this instance the red mauled guitar sounded much better. Just a better resonance and vibrant tone. Personally, I hate the relic crap. The scars of my guitar need to be my scars not some dude/dudette in a factory.

[@pdbordelon]

So wonderful! I want that red strat! I have a CS GT-11 Strat and 59' Tele. Not sure if a Masterbuilt is worth the extra money but if I could swing it I would buy it! These tone comparisons dont "tell the tale" as far as mojo and inspiration.

[@jukeboxheros7021]

I'm my ten years dabbling with guitars, I've found that price really doesn't matter, if you come across one that makes you feel/play better and it costs more, get it, cuz you can spend years trying to find that cheaper guitar with the same feel. I was lucky and found an 88 played out strat that was used n abused to this day my favorite.

[@DRIIC-qw8us]

1mm (or less) in pickup heights massively affects sustain and tone. Were all 3 pickups exactly the same distance below the strings? To achieve that, you also need exactly the same neck angle. Saddle height also plays a big part. Were the saddles all the same height on both guitars.

[@bonedale]

feel like masterbuilt is an unnecessary level of guitar from a musical standard. But exists like a supercar exists for a car company. A brand piece, a poster art piece. So they are cool to know they exists, and it's great to dream, but even if you are a pro, just grab a custom shop.

[@robertdaprato3314]

perhaps one of the great things about the MB is resale value particularly if you have popular builder

[@neilevans6229]

You seemed more connected to the master built it made you smile . I have a Squire Esquire which I'm connected to regardless of cost it just makes me smile and play better . Lovely playing 🎸🎶

[@craigthomson3621]

Josefina Campos pickups are incredible. I was lucky to get a lefty custom shop with Josefina Campos pickups fitted (before Josefina’s became Masterbuilt only).

[@onenotesolo256]

I decided to swap out a set of (really nice) Josefina handwounds on my CS strat, just for a change and to try a different flavour for the bridge in particular. I wound up with a set from Monty’s, having been through a couple of other makers, and I prefer them in this particular strat, for the time being anyway. Actually the best Fender Pickups I own are a tele set of 50/51 blackguard pups that currently reside in a TMG blackguard copy. They are stunning. 5-way switching mod to blend in the neck with the bridge as well, sounds great for my taste. I didn’t know the JC pups are now Masterbuilt only - good info, thanks.

[@IndyRockStar]

That custom shop sound like a really great Strat. That Master built is the most beautiful sounding guitar I've ever heard and I don't like particularly like Strats. I'm definitely getting a Master Built.

[@ernieb3626]

Hey Paul beautiful guitar I love love love a relic job especially a great one like that. Fender really has great relics I would love to watch them make it

[@YourbestbudJ]

Ive never played a master built but im guessing the best team built guitars sound as good as most master built. If you go to a big store and try out ten team built guitars and pick your favourite you'll probably save a bunch and still get the guitar you want. The relic work on some of these master built guitars though is something else. They're still fantastic instruments but they are also works of art.

[@leonpittman7329]

I just completed building a strat partscaster using a Sonic Blue body, Warmoth dark rosewood neck with a 44 mm nut (nitrocellulose finish that I applied) Fender locking tuners and Texas Special Custom Shop pickups, I put it together for under $1000. It sounds amazing and I would put up against of these high end guitars. I just don’t think most people could honestly tell a difference.

[@thecappy]

I have two team built ltd edition models. It is my understanding that one master builder is in charge (project manager)of those but is team built.

[@dr.leonidas]

Since the begining of the video I thought, wow, the red one sounds really better! a few moments later, I learned that it was the Masterbuilt one!

[@TheMauri123]

That red Strat sounds amazing ❤ would be my dream guitar 🎉

[@danielrose3172]

While I believe the wood may be different on these two guitars, the pickups probably affect the sound more than anything... However the feel, and weight are equally important so that may be what the custom shop has that we the listener can't evaluate.

[@matthiassoellner]

Thank you for this great comparison! You did a great job showing the difference. Both guitars are amazing, but the masterbuilt is more convincing in terms of resonance, sustain and sound. That's my opinion.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for watching!

[@brammanck]

I think the one that makes you wanna play is the one. I once had a PRS which looked great and sounded fantastic but I never picked it up and when I did I always tried to change something to get the sound. Then I met a Tele 63 NOS in the wrong colour for me but untill today everytime I pick it up it is mine. The PRS was more expensive, beter specs sure. But which one do you wanne play end of the day

[@danielrose3172]

Might be a really exceptional master built also... Imagine trying to test a bunch of them?

[@marksanders2784]

They both sound phenomenal, but there's certainly a little something extra with the MB. I guess the 'little' things of the hand picked woods, Josefina hand wound pickups etc make up that added something extra, that for me is worth the extra cost. Plus of course the experience of having a master built guitar made to your spec.

[@SeanJepson7]

All CS guitars have hand wound pick ups. Just to say.

[@ilmisxx2]

Or maybe it's just your brain playing tricks on you :D The pickups in the red one are a bit fuller in the mids and the white one is a bit more scooped. It's all preference anyway

[@djt6546]

@@SeanJepson7 Not all Fender CS guitars have hand wound PuP’s. I have a couple that came with regular off the shelf CS PuP’s you can buy for normal pricing. The shop traveller log you get with each CS guitar states whether you have a HW version. Most are HW that I have seen, but not all as I own some.

[@SeanJepson7]

@@djt6546 Fair enough mate I've never seen one.

[@eugenelgrong]

@@SeanJepson7 call it marketing or what you will, but not all CS guitars have josefina hand wounds, she winds quite exclusively for masterbuilts iirc. They differentiate the normal handwounds and josefina handwounds.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

We watch your videos to hear your “ personal “ opinion. You don’t need to always mention that is a preference thing and others prefer this or that. You are trying so hard to be positive and god forbid not say a thing that might bother one person! You can actually say this is better than that without mentioning that others might prefer that. 👍🤝🤝

[@ItsME-jm6fn]

Seems like you’re hitting the masterbuilt guitar a little harder. Probably because it feels better.

[@letfreedomring6906]

The Red Strat has 'Van Halenesque' sound to it, very nice.

[@bobbiejoe4726]

Custom Shop is still assembly line work. You can see this in Custom Shop videos. It may be the best assembly line with the best workers. But still an assembly line. Masterbuilt is all done by one man who knows his trade very very well. That man will pick out every piece of wood. Check every operation and detail to make sure this is the best strat he has ever made. If you have a special need and want a very special guitar, you get the Masterbuilt.

[@IndyRockStar]

That master bulit Strat Roars. I'm looking at getting a Stat. Been looking at Custom Shop. I think you convinced me to go Master built.

[@pez---]

04:50 "happiness...comin' and goin' .... cos I'm a lucky man!" - yes you are to be playing those two beauties. The red one looks stunning. You probably need a masterbuilt tele now :)

[@jasonshermandds6034]

I just found your channel! First, I want to say that you have very great playing. Second, I looked at the guitars initially, and then I put the phone in the pocket and listened without looking, and I definitely preferred the sound of the red Masterbuilt. I understand that this is purely a matter of choice. I just wanted to compliment your video and compliment your playing. Thank you so much.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Jason.

[@johncrace911]

Masterbuilt reminds me of a Melancon Strat I played once. It was ALIVE !

[@Johnfitz014]

The answer sounds obvious within the first few seconds of the video. Masterbuilt has such a beautiful, rich tone. Subjective opinion, of course.

[@lelov1392]

Good lowd!!! That masterbuilt really sings! Probably the best strat I’ve ever heard.

[@ganzonomy]

I have 2 teambuilt CS. I can't justify going up to $8k to $10k for a fender MB when i find 2 TB CS for $5600 total that are absolute machines.

[@195marth]

I see there are lots of people who are listening with their eyes 😅😅 For starters in the resonance/sustain test there is quite difference in volume at the start, meaning that there is difference in the power of strumming. I listened without watching the video and yes there is difference in the tone (probably because of different pickups) but for me the tone I liked better came from the custom built.

[@sroelit]

To my ears the Masterbuilt had both more body and more chime; it had greater clarity while also being more mellow. Just beautiful.

[@lwwells]

i swear that the MB has more clarity as well. i can hear more separation between the strings.

[@jontypiper9881]

Ahh the sound of a Strat in the right hands, a little bit of heaven ❤️

[@tonepilot]

Forget which guitar is better, I can listen to you play all day.

[@Swampster70]

For me, if you can tell the difference over the compressed KZbin audio between a top of the line guitar and an even better one, the the even better one in person has to be Godlike. KZbin does a great job of hiding the differences but in this video it was night and day. Red chopped cabbage guitar for the absolute win.

[@MAG-li5jo]

The Masterbuilt sounded better, but they get first pick of the absolute BEST woods Fender has on hand, and I am sure that the MB guitar has some pickups that were VERY specially selected for a custom guitar in the 10K range price-point.

[@joestrueband]

i think that the masterbuilt is way much better than the team one. it sounds like heaven to me. even if i don´t like the 65 model. cheers. joe

[@bluesysamurainao4557]

Great play. I had owned team built. It was the best I had ever owned. In this case, teambuilt one is less dirtier. Masterbuilt one is dirtier and crispier. Nowadays CS is too expensive in my area.

[@elwynsmiles]

I have a CS 1963 reissue Strat journeyman relic with the hand wound fat 60’s pick ups. It’s an amazing instrument 😎🤘

[@mattmanley7118]

I have a Silver Sky but my gosh I’d love a custom shop. Candy Apple Red or Olympic White rosewood board

[@raycuizon8226]

I own 12 custom Shop guitars. 4 LP's, 4 Strats and 4 Teles. I just can't justify spending extra for a Master Built. The only way I'm gonna pay for a Master Built is if I want something that has a unique spec that I want. For example I have a R7 Les Paul that was made M2M (Made to Measure) My R7 came with a slim 60's neck instead of the 50's.

[@Nightshade1881]

You didn’t go into how the fret ends are dressed or how the edges are rolled 😞 people care about that stuff too

[@scanvids]

It’s down to personal choice , I’ve played a one in 4 master built fender C/S , for my money , I purchased a Suhr light weight Paulownia hss 6ibs something, the singles 63 pickups sound very good the bridge adds some fatness to that tone , no spikey top end ! ; and for less than half the price of the master built , it’s a bit like a $5k horsey pedal , or a great sounding dual protein pedal for $350. Just my thoughts .

[@bluzzjazz]

Great demo, it would be interesting to know what you are plying through. What amp, drive etc.

[@keithbriscoe99]

These are tough ones. The "regular" CS will likely sound glorious when it's not being compared to anything. Only when bringing in something (MB) that might cost 2x do we tend to hear differences or areas where the CS is a little "less". Good problems to have for anyone that may get to make a decision on this stuff. My regular CS 60s Strat (2008) is still the best guitar I have. Had a Core PRS 594 (sold it), have a Suhr PT Sig (great, but not the connection I have with the Strat). Doubt I'll ever be able to compare side by side my CS with an even higher end Fender. Always enjoy your videos. I do always get something from watching, a new chord or progression or something, so thanks.

[@GuitarMav]

I own American Fenders and a custom shop strat, along with a squire. Played and owned many more. The most resonant guitar I have ever owned was an old 2011 American standard strat. Through the Polly I could see it actually had 5 pieces of joined wood to make up the body. So basically it was made with off cuts. This guitar resonated better then any I’ve owned or played since. The whole wood thing is overrated. Their are so many variables leading to what makes a good guitar. The old 50s and 60s guitars are deemed the best by many, look at how Leo purchased and used his wood. Purchased what was economical and available and was slapping them together. He certainly wasn’t hand picking or sniffing wood. Pickups play a major part in the sound. Woods are a distant second.

[@skordys]

@The Studio Rats how the heck did crave that sound ! its amazing !! Could you share your settings and toys etc also will be great to see Your strat setup! Amazing player !

[@cliverkay]

That MB is stunning !! Just has that extra ...but if they werent side by side you would never know !!

[@beefysinglecut]

Based on my experiences, resonance & sustain has pros and cons. IMHO, more resonance & more sustain is good for any kind of rock music. Less resonance and sustain is really works on funky, R&B, and it's kind due to more controllable.

[@Lowclef]

The masterbuilt is famous for its sustain. You can go out and have a bite and “aaaaaahhhhhhh” you’ll still be hearing that one.

[@ake166]

My Team built strat is 7 pounds 4 ounces and resonates very well. May be is not depend on one builder or team build. Some master builders got assistances , so it no actually one builder. Ron Throne once said in the video that he learned from experience neck shaping builder to does better more experience than him.

[@kostisk8914]

I'm late to the party on this vid, but how do you know the longer sustain is not from the pups? I guess it sounded like the master built was louder more mid, and so I would expect more sustain. Not sure if that's from the woods, but gotta think pups have a huge role in that. That said, the red guit is absolutely stunning!

[@TheStudioRats]

A pickup unless it’s a sustainer type does not create more sustain in affect it reduces sustain.

[@przemyslaw1235]

With your skill squier would sound great🙂its all player.Practice ,practice🙂

[@fleezfreeg]

I didn't read all the comments but, The MB sounds better to my ears. However, how does the CS sound with the MB electronics?

[@stratocasteres335]

Technically MB are not the pure reissue of vintage guitars as those were not built by a single builder back then. Hence, I think team built ones are more close to the fact in terms of process of making, quality control etc… I’m always impressed with my team built strat.

[@naetharu]

What this demo shows is the difference between two specific guitars. Not between custom shop and master built. For it to do anything like that we'd need a very sizable sample of guitars from each to capture the average qualities that we find on each. It's a nice demo of the guitars in question, but utterly useless as an actual comparison of the CS vs MB guitars in general.

[@Pegasus4213]

Masterbuilt fender strat guitars have (As I understand it) pickups wound by Josefina Campos or Abigail Ybarra where does this fact feature in the Masterbuilt - which is a dimension the better sound to my ears?

[@LfunkeyA]

i highly doubt the master builder chose more 'sustaining' woods, and if anything the team built is a more visually appealing instrument. i can clearly hear that either the master-build pickups are hotter or you have the amp set differently, which would explain the few extra seconds of sustain. furthermore sustain is much more dependent on setup, fret condition and feedback than it is on wood quality or weight.